Wilmslow woman to run half-marathon in memory of late GP sister

A Wilmslow resident who lost her GP sister to bowel cancer will run a half marathon this weekend to raise vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.

Amelia Potter and her friend Clare Richardson will run the Edinburgh Half Marathon this Sunday 24th May, in memory of Amelia’s late sister Nicky Kenny, a GP who died of bowel cancer aged 48 in November 2025.

All funds raised by Amelia and Clare will go towards supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s work to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.        

At the time of writing, the pair have raised over £5,000 for the charity, with donations still coming in. 

Amelia said:

“It was my schoolfriend Clare who suggested to me in January this year that we should do something positive in memory of Nicky,” 

“Clare lives in Edinburgh and before we had time to think too hard about the task ahead, we had both signed up to run the Edinburgh half marathon in aid of Bowel Cancer UK.”

Nicky was an avid runner, running half-marathons and marathons in her lifetime. She even ran a half marathon in under two hours, just two weeks before she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2020.

She lived and worked as a GP in Rotorua, New Zealand, where she lived for 21 years after qualifying as a doctor in the UK. It was there that she met her husband Brian and raised her two children, Emma and Robbie.

Nicky’s bowel cancer diagnosis at just 43 came after she began experiencing stomach cramps. She was initially told by doctors that she was likely to be constipated, and she was sent home.

The following day, Nicky went to A&E and underwent emergency surgery where her tumour was discovered. She underwent six months of chemotherapy, which initially worked well.

Unfortunately, Nicky’s cancer came back in November 2023, and she was given two to three years to live. She sadly passed away in November 2025, leaving behind Brian and her two young children.

Amelia added.

“Nicky’s story is an important reminder that bowel cancer increasingly affects younger people and it does not always present with clear or early warning signs,”

“Running a half marathon won't be easy for us, but we will do it with her as our inspiration.

“As a doctor herself, we know that she would be proud of us and pleased to hear of any effort to raise the profile of bowel cancer.

“Nicky’s message to us all would be to never ignore any symptoms or any weird feelings of pain… Go and get them checked out.”

Karina Norton-Amor, Events Fundraising Manager for Bowel Cancer UK, said:

"We’re incredibly grateful to Amelia and Clare for selecting Bowel Cancer UK as their chosen charity as they take on the Edinburgh Half Marathon in Nicky’s memory. 

"Every 12 minutes, someone like Nicky is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK's fourth most common cancer. Any funds that Amelia and Clare raise will help us continue to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.    

"We hope that Amelia and Clare know the difference that their support will make, and that we’re sure that Nicky would be proud of their efforts."     

You can support Amelia and Clare and donate to Bowel Cancer UK by visiting their fundraising page: 

www.justgiving.com/team/runningfornicky

Feeling inspired? Take on your own running challenge for Bowel Cancer UK: 

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/running/ 

About Bowel Cancer UK              

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. For more information visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk.         

About bowel cancer             

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women. Around 46,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.         

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:              

·        Bleeding from your bottom.              

·        Blood in your poo.              

·        A change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go.              

·        Losing weight but you’re not sure why.              

·        Feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why.              

·        A pain or lump in your tummy.

Pictured - Amelia Potter (l) with her sister Nicky (r)